web analytics

Top 100 Make-Up Songs: Apology Songs, Second Chances, and Getting Back Together Music

Make-up songs live in that dramatic little space between heartbreak and hope. They are the songs people play when they want someone back, need to say they are sorry, hope for a second chance, or realize a little too late that maybe the relationship was worth fighting for.

This list includes apology songs, “please come back” songs, second-chance love songs, regret ballads, reconciliation anthems, and complicated breakup songs where the door is not quite closed. Some are sweet. Some are desperate. Some are very dramatic. A few should probably be followed by an honest conversation and maybe fewer text messages after midnight.

Make-up songs are not always happy songs. Some are about forgiveness. Some are about longing. Some are about realizing the damage after the fact. The best ones capture the emotional mess of wanting to fix something that may or may not be fixable.

Best Make-Up Songs

These are the strongest starting points for a make-up songs playlist. They are familiar, emotional, easy to connect with, and strongly tied to apologies, reconciliation, or wanting someone back.

  1. Baby Come Back – Player
  2. We Belong Together – Mariah Carey
  3. Apologize – Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
  4. Sorry – Justin Bieber
  5. Back to December – Taylor Swift
  6. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
  7. Reunited – Peaches & Herb
  8. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
  9. Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago
  10. If I Could Turn Back Time – Cher
  11. Always on My Mind – Willie Nelson
  12. Stay with Me – Sam Smith
  13. Un-Break My Heart – Toni Braxton
  14. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) – Phil Collins
  15. The Scientist – Coldplay

Make-Up Songs by Mood

Apology Songs and “I Messed Up” Ballads

Apology songs are the emotional center of any make-up playlist. These songs are about regret, guilt, awkward honesty, and the difficult business of admitting that the other person may have had a point.

  • Apologize – Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
  • Sorry – Justin Bieber
  • Back to December – Taylor Swift
  • Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago
  • Please Forgive Me – Bryan Adams
  • Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word – Elton John
  • All Apologies – Nirvana
  • Forgive Me – Leona Lewis
  • So Sorry – Feist
  • Sorry – Buckcherry
  • I’m Sorry – Brenda Lee
  • I’m Sorry – John Denver
  • Sorry – Madonna
  • My Stupid Mouth – John Mayer

Come Back Songs

Some make-up songs are direct: please come back, please stay, please do not leave, please pretend this dramatic chorus is also a reasonable plan. These songs are built around longing, panic, and the hope that the door is still open.

  • Baby Come Back – Player
  • I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
  • Want U Back – Cher Lloyd
  • I Want You Back – NSYNC
  • Come Back to Me – Janet Jackson
  • Please Don’t Go – KC & The Sunshine Band
  • Baby, I’m-A Want You – Bread
  • Come Back… Be Here – Taylor Swift
  • Don’t Leave Me This Way – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
  • Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston
  • Please Don’t Go Girl – New Kids on the Block
  • Don’t Go Away – Oasis
  • Baby Don’t Go – Sonny & Cher
  • Don’t Go – Yaz

Second-Chance Love Songs

Second-chance songs are about trying again, starting over, rebuilding trust, and hoping love can survive the damage. These are the songs for relationships that are bent, bruised, and still somehow not finished.

  • Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
  • Reunited – Peaches & Herb
  • We Can Work It Out – The Beatles
  • Try Again – Aaliyah
  • Second Chance – Shinedown
  • Second Chance – 38 Special
  • Second Chance – El DeBarge
  • Try Again – Champaign
  • Let’s Try It Again – New Kids on the Block
  • Starting Over Again – Dolly Parton
  • (Just Like) Starting Over – John Lennon
  • Start Over – Beyoncé

Regret Songs and Lost-Love Ballads

Regret songs are not always make-up songs, but they belong near the conversation. They are about realizing what was lost, wondering what could have changed, and looking back with a little more wisdom than anyone had at the time.

  • If I Could Turn Back Time – Cher
  • Always on My Mind – Willie Nelson
  • Always on My Mind – Elvis Presley
  • Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) – Phil Collins
  • Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinéad O’Connor
  • Don’t Speak – No Doubt
  • Careless Whisper – George Michael
  • Jealous Guy – John Lennon
  • Jealous Guy – Roxy Music
  • When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars
  • The Heart of the Matter – Don Henley
  • Someone Like You – Adele

Stay, Hold On, and Don’t Give Up Songs

Sometimes a make-up song is less about apologizing and more about holding the relationship together. These songs ask for patience, understanding, and one more try before the final goodbye.

  • Stay with Me – Sam Smith
  • Stay – Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko
  • Open Arms – Journey
  • Never Really Over – Katy Perry
  • Just Give Me a Reason – P!nk featuring Nate Ruess
  • I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
  • Whatever It Takes – Lifehouse
  • Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John & Kiki Dee
  • Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – The Animals
  • Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me – Elton John
  • Hold On – Wilson Phillips
  • Fix You – Coldplay

Getting Back Together and Still-in-Love Songs

These songs are less about the breakup and more about the reason people try again. They focus on devotion, memory, emotional history, and the feeling that the relationship still matters.

  • Love Story – Taylor Swift
  • Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
  • Baby, I Love Your Way – Peter Frampton
  • I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5
  • I’ll Be There – Mariah Carey featuring Trey Lorenz
  • Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations
  • Beggin’ – The Four Seasons
  • Beggin’ – Måneskin
  • Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? – Bryan Adams
  • Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
  • Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart
  • Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
  • Still the One – Orleans

Breakup Songs That Still Leave the Door Open

Not every make-up song sounds like a reunion. Some sound like the middle of the argument, the long quiet after it, or the moment when both people know there is still something unresolved.

  • If You Leave – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
  • Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
  • I Want You – Savage Garden
  • I Want You – Marvin Gaye
  • Want You Back – HAIM
  • Take Me Back – Little Anthony & The Imperials
  • Baby Come to Me – Patti Austin & James Ingram
  • Come Back and Stay – Paul Young
  • Come Back Song – Darius Rucker
  • Come Back Baby – Ray Charles
  • I Can’t Let Go – The Hollies
  • I Can’t Let Go – Lucinda Williams

Make-up songs can be sweet, dramatic, messy, or painfully honest. The best ones usually work because they catch the moment when pride finally loses to feeling.

Top 100 Make-Up Songs

  1. Baby Come Back – Player
  2. We Belong Together – Mariah Carey
  3. Apologize – Timbaland featuring OneRepublic
  4. Sorry – Justin Bieber
  5. Back to December – Taylor Swift
  6. Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
  7. Reunited – Peaches & Herb
  8. I Want You Back – The Jackson 5
  9. Hard to Say I’m Sorry – Chicago
  10. If I Could Turn Back Time – Cher
  11. Always on My Mind – Willie Nelson
  12. Stay with Me – Sam Smith
  13. Un-Break My Heart – Toni Braxton
  14. Want U Back – Cher Lloyd
  15. I Want You Back – NSYNC
  16. Always on My Mind – Elvis Presley
  17. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) – Phil Collins
  18. Open Arms – Journey
  19. Don’t Leave Me This Way – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
  20. The Scientist – Coldplay
  21. Hello – Adele
  22. Never Really Over – Katy Perry
  23. Stay – Rihanna featuring Mikky Ekko
  24. Please Forgive Me – Bryan Adams
  25. Just Give Me a Reason – P!nk featuring Nate Ruess
  26. Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word – Elton John
  27. Come Back to Me – Janet Jackson
  28. We Can Work It Out – The Beatles
  29. Try Again – Aaliyah
  30. Please Don’t Go – KC & The Sunshine Band
  31. The Reason – Hoobastank
  32. Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinéad O’Connor
  33. I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
  34. Don’t Speak – No Doubt
  35. Love Story – Taylor Swift
  36. Whatever It Takes – Lifehouse
  37. All Apologies – Nirvana
  38. Forgive Me – Leona Lewis
  39. So Sorry – Feist
  40. Sorry – Buckcherry
  41. I’m Sorry – Brenda Lee
  42. Starting Over Again – Dolly Parton
  43. (Just Like) Starting Over – John Lennon
  44. I’m Sorry – John Denver
  45. Sorry – Madonna
  46. My Stupid Mouth – John Mayer
  47. Jealous Guy – John Lennon
  48. Jealous Guy – Roxy Music
  49. Careless Whisper – George Michael
  50. Baby, I’m-A Want You – Bread
  51. Come Back… Be Here – Taylor Swift
  52. Don’t Leave Me This Way – Thelma Houston
  53. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John & Kiki Dee
  54. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – The Animals
  55. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me – Elton John
  56. Second Chance – Shinedown
  57. Second Chance – 38 Special
  58. Beggin’ – The Four Seasons
  59. Second Chance – El DeBarge
  60. Try Again – Champaign
  61. Try a Little Tenderness – Otis Redding
  62. Let’s Try It Again – New Kids on the Block
  63. Start Over – Beyoncé
  64. Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
  65. Baby, I Love Your Way – Peter Frampton
  66. I’ll Be There – The Jackson 5
  67. I’ll Be There – Mariah Carey featuring Trey Lorenz
  68. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations
  69. Beggin’ – Måneskin
  70. Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman? – Bryan Adams
  71. Have I Told You Lately – Van Morrison
  72. Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart
  73. Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
  74. Still the One – Orleans
  75. Please Don’t Go Girl – New Kids on the Block
  76. Don’t Go Away – Oasis
  77. Baby Don’t Go – Sonny & Cher
  78. Don’t Go – Yaz
  79. If You Leave – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
  80. Don’t You Want Me – The Human League
  81. I Want You – Savage Garden
  82. I Want You – Marvin Gaye
  83. Want You Back – HAIM
  84. Take Me Back – Little Anthony & The Imperials
  85. Baby Come to Me – Patti Austin & James Ingram
  86. Come Back and Stay – Paul Young
  87. Come Back Song – Darius Rucker
  88. Come Back Baby – Ray Charles
  89. I Can’t Let Go – The Hollies
  90. I Can’t Let Go – Lucinda Williams
  91. Let Her Cry – Hootie & The Blowfish
  92. Hold On – Wilson Phillips
  93. Fix You – Coldplay
  94. The Heart of the Matter – Don Henley
  95. Healing Hands – Elton John
  96. Heal the Pain – George Michael
  97. Better Man – Pearl Jam
  98. Better Man – Little Big Town
  99. If You Don’t Know Me by Now – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
  100. If You Don’t Know Me by Now – Simply Red

More Make-Up Songs Worth Hearing

These songs also fit apology playlists, second-chance playlists, breakup-repair moods, and “maybe this is not over” listening.

  • Make You Feel My Love – Bob Dylan
  • Make You Feel My Love – Adele
  • When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars
  • The Dance – Garth Brooks
  • Remember When – Alan Jackson
  • Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
  • Need You Now – Lady A
  • Nobody Wants to Be Lonely – Ricky Martin & Christina Aguilera
  • Back at One – Brian McKnight
  • One More Night – Phil Collins
  • One More Night – Maroon 5
  • drivers license – Olivia Rodrigo
  • traitor – Olivia Rodrigo
  • Lose You to Love Me – Selena Gomez
  • Back to You – Selena Gomez
  • Lose Somebody – Kygo & OneRepublic
  • Without You – The Kid LAROI
  • Stay – The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber
  • Someone You Loved – Lewis Capaldi
  • Before You Go – Lewis Capaldi
  • Someone Like You – Adele
  • Easy on Me – Adele
  • When We Were Young – Adele
  • Water Under the Bridge – Adele
  • All I Ask – Adele
  • Try – P!nk
  • Who Knew – P!nk
  • Austin – Blake Shelton
  • Amazed – Lonestar
  • I Cross My Heart – George Strait
  • I Swear – John Michael Montgomery
  • I Swear – All-4-One
  • You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
  • From This Moment On – Shania Twain
  • Breathe – Faith Hill
  • I’ll Be – Edwin McCain
  • I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing – Aerosmith
  • More Than Words – Extreme
  • To Be with You – Mr. Big
  • Every Rose Has Its Thorn – Poison
  • Patience – Guns N’ Roses
  • Faithfully – Journey
  • Still Loving You – Scorpions
  • Love Bites – Def Leppard
  • I Miss You – Blink-182
  • Here Without You – 3 Doors Down
  • Far Away – Nickelback
  • Someday – Nickelback
  • It’s Not Over – Daughtry
  • Home – Daughtry
  • Breakeven – The Script
  • The Man Who Can’t Be Moved – The Script
  • For the First Time – The Script
  • Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur
  • Let Me Love You – Mario